Best gaming headsets in 2026: wireless and wired

The BlackShark V3 Pro is Razer's esports-focused wireless headset, and the feature list is long. It uses 50 mm TriForce Bio-Cellulose Gen-2 drivers and a detachable 12 mm Full Band microphone, with Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation that offers four adjustable levels. That is unusual in a gaming headset and useful on a train or in a noisy house.

Razer's HyperSpeed Wireless Gen-2 runs over 2.4 GHz with audio delivery as fast as 10 ms, and Bluetooth can stay connected to your phone at the same time, so you can take a call without removing the headset. Battery life is up to 70 hours, and Razer says 15 minutes on the charger gives about six hours of play. USB and 3.5 mm wired connections are included as a fallback.

Spatial sound comes from THX Spatial Audio at 7.1.4, although Razer states this needs Windows 11 version 23H2 or later. The headset can store up to nine EQ profiles, and a configurable roller handles footstep boost, game and chat balance and mic monitoring.

The main drawback is weight. A retailer listing gives 367 g, which is more than most rivals here, and Razer's page does not state weight. Razer also says it works with PC and console over 2.4 GHz but does not itemise consoles, so check the box for your system.

The Pulse Elite is Sony's top PlayStation headset, and it is built to make PS5 setup simple. It uses a USB adapter with PlayStation Link, which Sony describes as lossless and ultra-low latency, and it can also use Bluetooth at the same time, so you can listen to a phone and a console together.

The drivers are planar magnetic, a design more often found in studio headphones, and Sony describes the sound as studio-inspired. The driver size is not given. The microphone is a fully retractable boom mic with AI-based noise rejection, which is a neat design because it tucks away when you are not chatting. Sony lists support for PS5, PlayStation Portal remote player, PC, Mac and phones over Bluetooth, and says 3D Audio is available in PS5 games that offer it.

Battery life is up to 30 hours, with up to two hours of playback from a 10-minute charge. That is shorter than the 50 to 70 hours claimed by some rivals, but enough for several days of normal play. Weight is about 0.4 kg, a bit heavy for long sessions.

Sony's page does not say whether the headset works wired or has noise cancelling, so we mark those as not stated. It is the neat pick for PS5 and Portal players, but there is no Xbox or Switch support listed.

The Cloud III is the easy recommendation for anyone who wants a gaming headset that just works. HyperX lists 3.5 mm, USB-A and USB-C connections, with a USB dongle and a USB-C to USB-A adapter included. That means it works across PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mac and mobile.

The drivers are 53 mm dynamic units with neodymium magnets, angled towards the ear, and the stated frequency response is 10 Hz to 21 kHz. The microphone is a detachable 10 mm electret condenser with a uni-directional, noise-cancelling pickup and an LED mute indicator, which is a useful touch for team voice chat.

It weighs about 0.70 lb (roughly 318 g) with the microphone, so it is not a lightweight headset, but it comes without a battery to charge. The headset cable is about 3.93 ft, and the USB dongle cable is 4.26 ft.

What it lacks is anything fancy. HyperX gives no surround or noise cancelling specification and mentions only Immersive Audio on PC. It is also wired, so it is not for people who want to move around. For a simple, comfortable, cross-platform headset that works without batteries or pairing, it is sensible and easy to live with.

The Arctis Nova 5 Wireless is the lighter, simpler option in SteelSeries' range, and it stands out for the combination of low weight and a long battery. SteelSeries lists a weight of 265 g and up to 60 hours per charge, which makes it the lightest wireless headset in this group.

It connects over a 2.4 GHz USB-C dongle or Bluetooth 5.3, with a Quick-Switch button to jump between them, so you can game on the dongle and still get a call on your phone. The listed platforms are PC, Mac, PS5 and PS4, mobile, and handhelds such as the Switch, ROG Ally and Steam Deck. It also works as audio on Meta Quest 2. Xbox is not mentioned on the page.

The microphone is a retractable ClearCast 2.X design with 32 kHz, 16-bit audio, and on PC Sonar can apply AI noise cancellation to it. For sound, 360 degree Spatial Audio is available through the free Sonar Virtual Surround Sound on Windows, and the headset is also compatible with Tempest 3D Audio for PS5 and Microsoft Spatial Sound, which are sold separately.

The Arctis Companion App lets you switch audio presets from your phone, and the headset has two save slots for EQ profiles. SteelSeries does not publish driver size, and there is no headphone noise cancelling. It is a strong pick if comfort and battery matter more than extras.

The PRO X 2 is Logitech G's flagship wireless headset and one of the more established models in this list. Logitech's product page describes 50 mm graphene drivers, which it says reduce distortion and improve audio response, and a rotating hinge for fit and portability.

Three connections are on offer: LIGHTSPEED wireless with a range of up to 30 metres, Bluetooth, and a 3.5 mm wired jack. Logitech quotes up to 50 hours of battery on a single charge. The build combines an aluminium and steel frame with memory foam earpads available in leatherette or velour, so you can choose between a cooler and a softer feel.

The microphone is a detachable boom arm with a cardioid pickup and Blue VO!CE technology, which Logitech says reduces pops and hisses. The product title also refers to 7.1 surround.

What Logitech's page does not show, at least in the version we could load, are the weight, a platform compatibility list and a noise cancelling specification, so we mark those as not stated. Check the box or retailer listing for the platforms you need, especially if you play on a console. It is a good pick for players who want a durable, great-sounding headset that works across PC and mobile, and the multiple connection types make it flexible.